PRDV401: Introduction to JavaScript I

Learn fundamental programming concepts using JavaScript to produce code for browser-based interactive experiences using conditions and events.

Course Introduction:

This course is the first in a series of three short courses that will build your programming skills in the JavaScript language. JavaScript is a client-side scripting language for producing interactive content in a web browser. It is one of the most popular programming languages worldwide.

This course is for future JavaScript developers with some HTML and CSS knowledge. If you do not have this knowledge, we recommend you review Unit 1, which discusses HTML and CSS. Then, we begin this course with a brief history of JavaScript. We then introduce programming concepts such as variables, control statements, objects, exception handling, and best practices. You will also learn about the Document Object Model or DOM, which provides the structure for dynamically displaying and manipulating elements on a webpage written in HTML using JavaScript.

By the end of this course, you will explain and demonstrate how JavaScript is used to program the behavior of webpages as an interactive tool. You will use the concepts you learn in this introductory course in the subsequent JavaScript courses.
Course Units:
  • Unit 1: HTML and CSS Prerequisite Overview
  • Unit 2: Introduction to JavaScript
  • Unit 3: Values, Variables, and Statements
  • Unit 4: Control Flow Statements
  • Unit 5: The Basics of Functions
  • Unit 6: Objects, the DOM, and Best Practices
Course Learning Objectives:
  • Explain the use of HTML5 tags in a document;
  • Model the structure of an HTML page;
  • Create a simple webpage using HTML and CSS;
  • Explain how JavaScript is used to program the behavior of webpages as an interactive tool;
  • Utilize the tools to write and debug JavaScript programs;
  • Utilize the steps for writing a JavaScript Program that includes proper values, operators, expressions, and keywords;
  • List and explain the types of values and variables;
  • Explain the proper use of internal and external JavaScript;
  • Utilize objects including the structure of the DOM (Document Object Model);
  • Identify the debugging process to correct code to produce the desired result from the code; and
  • Construct appropriate control structures based on conditions.
Continuing Education Units: 1.7